Cylinder ventilation device

ABSTRACT

A device for ventilating leaks from cylinders containing flammable gas when being transported in a closed vehicle, The device comprises an enclosure into which the gas cylinder may be placed, the enclosure including means to contain any leakage from the gas cylinder and then extract any leaked gas from the closed vehicle.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device that provides ventilation of cylinders being transported within vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Gas cylinders of acetylene and other flammable gases, such as propane, are often transported within vehicles by trades people who use such gases in their work, e.g. plumbers. Many of these vehicles are enclosed, e.g. panel trucks or vans. Such transport can be very hazardous and despite precautions, the cylinders can and do develop leaks. These leaks have led to explosions of the closed vehicles, which not only may destroy the vehicle, but may result in injuries or death of the driver or other occupants of the closed vehicle.

While there has been some discussion of legislation to ban the transport of cylinder gas in closed vehicles, this is not a practical solution to the problem. Trades people use closed vehicles in their jobs to provide protection to equipment and goods as well as to reduce the chance of theft or tampering.

There remains a need in the art for improvements to the transport of flammable gas cylinders in close vehicles.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The invention provides an improved device for ventilating leaks from cylinders containing flammable gas when being transported in a closed vehicle. The device of the invention generally comprises an enclosure into which the gas cylinder may be placed, the enclosure including means to contain any leakage from the gas cylinder and then extract any leaked gas from the closed vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the device according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the device according to the invention showing an embodiment where the enclosure has doors that open to allow insertion of a gas cylinder.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the device according to the invention showing an embodiment where the enclosure has a lid, that opens to allow insertion of a gas cylinder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a device for containing and ventilating any leakage from a gas cylinder when the cylinder is being transported in a closed vehicle. The invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the drawing figures. FIG. 1 shows the device of the invention comprising an enclosure 10 having in which a gas cylinder 20 can be stored during transport. The enclosure 10 is shown in FIG. 1 as having a generally cylindrical shape, but any shape, rectangular prism, etc. dimensioned to hold the gas cylinder 20 can be used. The enclosure 10 includes a side wall 30 which in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 tapers toward the upper end to form an outlet 40. Associated with the outlet 40, a means 50, such as a pump, for drawing air through the enclosure 10 is provided. At the lower end of the enclosure 10, vents 60, 65 are formed to allow for the intake of air when the means 50 is operating. The vents 60, 65 may he sealed by non return means when the means 50 is not operating, to seal the interior of the enclosure 10 from the surrounding atmosphere and ensure that not gas leaked from the cylinder 20 escapes the enclosure 10. One end of a hose 70 or other suitable means is attached to the outlet 40 while the other end of the hose 70 is attached to an outlet means for the closed vehicle, so that any leaked gas from the cylinder 20 can be safely vented to the atmosphere outside the closed vehicle.

The interior of the enclosure 10 can be accessed in many different ways to allow insertion of the cylinder 20. Two examples of closure systems are shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment where the enclosure 10 has doors 110, 115 that open to allow insertion of a gas cylinder. The doors 110, 115 should include sealing means to ensure that no gas from the gas cylinder can escape the enclosure 10 when the doors are closed. This may be accomplished by having hinged doors that are sealed when closed by clips or a locking mechanism. Alternatively, a zipper arrangement, hook and loop type fastening means, or other attachment means may be used to close the doors. FIG. 3 shows an embodiment where the interior of the enclosure 10 is accessed trough a pivoting or removable lid 120. The lid 120 may be hinged and closed by clips or a locking mechanism. Alternatively, the lid 120 can have a zipper, hook and loop fastener, or other attachment means to the main body of the enclosure 10. As a separate alternative, the lid 120 can be screw fitted to the main body of the enclosure 10.

The enclosure 10 can be made of any material that prevents leakage from the cylinder 20 from escaping from the enclosure 10. This may be a rigid material such as aluminum, steel, or the like, or may be a more flexible material such as coated fabric or canvas.

When the enclosure 10 is intended to contain a cylinder 20 that is filled with gases that are lighter than air, e.g. acetylene, then the outlet 40, means 50 and hose 70 should be arranged at or near the top of the enclosure 10. When the enclosure 10 is intended to contain a cylinder 20 that is filled with gases that are heavier than air, e.g. propane, then the outlet 40, means 50 and hose 70 should be arranged at or near the bottom of the enclosure 10.

The enclosure 10 can be fitted with a sensor that would detect any gas leakage from the cylinder 10 and controls can be connected with such a sensor to turn on the pump or other evacuating means upon sensing a leak. Power for the air flow system or pump can be provided by batter, or power packs. Alternatively power can be provided by direct wiring with the vehicle engine or by a plug that inserts in to a utility or lighter socket of the vehicle.

The device of the invention provides a means for making the transport of gas cylinders in closed vehicles much safer. The invention is simple and easy to use and versatile enough to be accommodated in any closed vehicle configuration.

It is anticipated that other embodiments and variations of the present invention will become readily apparent to the skilled artisan in the light of the foregoing description, and it is intended that such embodiments and variations likewise be included within the scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims. 

What is claimed:
 1. A device for transporting a gas cylinder in a closed vehicle comprising: an enclosure dimensioned to hold the gas cylinder, the enclosure having an outlet; means to draw air through the enclosure associated with the outlet of the enclosure; vents formed in the enclosure to allow air intake; a hose connected between the outlet of the enclosure and an outlet for the vehicle.
 2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the enclosure tapers toward the upper end to form the outlet of the enclosure and the vents are formed in a lower portion of the enclosure.
 3. The device according to claim 1 wherein the outlet for the enclosure is formed in a lower portion of the enclosure and the vents are formed in an upper portion of the enclosure.
 4. The device according to claim 1 wherein the enclosure has cylindrical shape, or a rectangular prism shape.
 5. The device according to claim 1 wherein the vents sealed by non return means.
 6. The device according to claim 1 wherein the enclosure includes access means to allow access to the interior of the enclosure, said access means comprising sealable doors formed in the wall of the enclosure, a pivoting cap for the enclosure or a removable cap for the enclosure.
 7. The device according to claim 6 wherein the sealable doors are hinged and may be sealed by clips, a locking mechanism, a zipper arrangement, or hook and loop type fastening means.
 8. The device according to claim 1 wherein the enclosure is made from a rigid material, such as aluminum, steel, coated fabric or canvas.
 9. The device according to claim 1 further including a sensor to detect any gas leakage from the cylinder and controls connected with the sensor to turn on the means to draw air through the enclosure upon sensing a leak.
 10. The device according to claim 1 wherein the means to draw air through the enclosure is a pump.
 11. The device according to claim 1 wherein power for the means to draw air through the enclosure is provided by battery, power packs, direct wiring with the vehicle engine or by a plug connected to the a utility or lighter socket of the vehicle. 